colby



(No Model.) 2 sheeussheen 2.

B.`J.'o0LBY. NEWSPAPER LOOK BOX.`

No. 508,870. Patented Nov. 14, 1893.

'A q UNITED STATES vPATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD J. CoLBY, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASsIeNoR To THE CoLBY SPECIALTY SUPPLY COMPANY, or SAME PLACE.

N Ews' PAPER LooKf-Box.y

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0.- 508,870, dated November' 14, 1893. Applies@ fuga December ci, 1892. sel-iai No. 456,954. (no model.)

in position with the door closed. Fig. 2 is a somewhat similar view ofthe device in positIon with the door open. Fig. k3 is a vertical ksection through the b ox; and Fig. 4 a cross section.

Like parts are indicated by the same letter in all the iigures.

A is a door and B the door frame, which as indicated, make aright angle with each other. In the right angle is disposed my box, which consists of the sides C C with the back D, and preferably inclined top E. The sides have each a letter slot F F', and a hole for a securing screw G G', and holes for the lower securing screwsJ J. One edge of the box is preferably open as indicated in Fig. 2, though closed toward the bottom by the part K. The bottom of the box is preferably open. Within the box at the bottom are disposed the two strips of thin sheet metal L L having each the fingers M M, shaped preferably substantially as shown, and adapted to overlap as indicated so as to securely close the bottom to prevent packages from falling out, while at the same time to leave it free for packages to be inserted. n

N is a newspaper in a wrapper forced up into the box so as to be held by the spring fingers M.

O O are letters vwhich have been put into the box through the letter slot F.

P is the lower securing screw and R the upper securing screw.

It will `be observed that the strips or plates of metal which are provided with the interlapping fingers M are secured to the same .C sides of the box or receptacle' as those through which the letter slits are formed. This arrangement insures that the letters which are dropped into the box through these slits will fall down between the said plates of 'metal and the sides of the box, whether one or more papers are held between them, or they are in their normal position with their fingers interlapping. The two strips or plates of metal secured to the opposite sides of the box and provided with, the fingers interlapping above the open end of the box operate to prevent the smallest article which might at the same time permit the entrance into the receptacle of a package of a size sufficient to almost entirely ll the box. This is accomplished by making the plates or pieces yot' metal equal in width to the sides of the box to which they are secured.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows: It is desirable in devices of this character to have a device operative, if possible, without lock or key or movable parts of any kind'or description; and also, to have it cheap and simple and so that it can be easily placed in an out-of-the way spot. The contents should be protected from rain, and should be so as not to be easily removable ex,- cept by the person controlling the box. At the same time, there should be no dificulty in inserting either papers or letters. these objects I accomplish in the device illustrated. The edge of the. box being closed when the door is closed, there can, of course, be no access to the box. The newspapers thrust up through the bottom are protected from the weather and secured, whether entirely forced in or not, so that in any attempt to withdraw, they would be injured so as to be of no use. In the meantime, letters may be thrust into the upper slot, either before or after the newspaper is put into position. If before, they will be prevented from falling out by the overlapping spring fingers M M. If after, they will fall into the box beside the papers. Other papers besides the one-already inserted may be forced'into position, as also, can other letters to a reasonable number, be

put into the box. Only when the door is be sent through the mail from escaping, and

All of IOO @Successes@stemt beiobtain'd; and. all the letters and papers can then" beesily r? moved Withoutinterfering with the spring fingers as suggested in Fig. 2. No lock i's`nec-' essary, and no movable orrefmovable parts are employed." The box" is` interliarigable Aor` re'- versible, so as to be used in" either angle; or

applied in any position,

I claim- 1. A receptacle for newspapers and the like consisting of a box open vat one edge and provided 4aththeta bottom with opposed sets oifllong overlapping sh'arplpointed spri,"4 fingers, se`A cured to the opposite sides,` C, of the box wh ich.

n ai'l lnatter 'having its vbotto rireit-irelyfopen, andthe" two strips' orlii'ftesVN4 of ti'i'iii"'spring metal secured to the inner faces of the oppo site'sides of the box near its lower open end, the said plates being of a width substantially equal to the* sides of thepbox to which they are secured4 and provided with fingers which interlap over the'v open end of the box, the said box being provided with a letter slit in its upper portiouvabove the thin spring metalpiates substantially as set forth.

3. A receptacle or box adapted to receive mail mattei' haviri'g its bottoni open',A and the letter slits throngh its opposite sides andthe ntvvo strips or plates of metal secured to the sides of the box in which are torrn d the said n1! r l :f` 6

"d stri sior'pfates Witnesses:

WALTER J- GUNWQRP, i FRANCISW. PRKER: 

